Turning Failure into Success.
“How can we all turn failures into little successes without time overthinking them?”
As Covid hit, my thoughts around failing started appearing more and more, living rent-free in my head.
Due to lockdown, I wasn’t going out apart from the novelty of going to buy groceries but failing at life seemed to be a huge theme each day. I started to ask myself “How can we all turn failures into little successes without time overthinking them”
I’ve explored a few things which I’ve tried to implement. My favourite, rereading ‘How to Fail’ by Elizabeth Day to get myself back in the game. This book could have me on the front cover because it was exactly me (but it wouldn’t sell as many copies). Elizabeth talks about what she’s learnt when things have gone wrong and shares lessons from the challenges in her own life and those of famous interviewees such as politician Gina Martin, screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge & singer Lily Allen.
“If I have learned one thing from this shockingly beautiful venture called life, it is this: failure has taught me lessons I would never otherwise have understood.” - Elizabeth Day
Failure is unavoidable in both life and business. We don't admit it often enough, but failure is necessary for our success. I personally try to avoid failing because the unknown that follows scares me. Failure makes us feel degraded as if we have done something wrong; we are naturally ashamed of it. If you look at failure as a resource rather than a source of shame, you'll notice that it's through loss that we learn to succeed.
Over the last 2 years, I’ve really worked on equipping myself on being ok with failing. I’ve worked closely with my boss Julien Deslangles-Blanch to become comfortable with the unknown. Work has been the number 1 constant source of stress for me over the years but in the last 12 months, I’ve been practising being ok with switching off, sharing how I feel, and learning to be ok with just achieving rather than burning myself out overachieving.
Here are some of my ideas for turning failures into victories. Even if it’s just getting out of your PJs.
1. Recognise and correct your errors.
Don't be too hard on yourself, but don't ignore it either. Retrace the steps that led to your mistakes. Are you adequately prepared?
If you're having trouble locating the problem, get assistance. Friends, Academic Support, Peers (like me!), a therapist, or a trusted work friend can all assist you. At first, discussing your mistakes and worries may feel awkward or daunting, but it will be beneficial to highlight that things might not be so bad and that the biggest critic of yourself is you.
Read more about my tips on turning your mindset of failure into a positive here.
Project Tags
Companies
General Assembly
- Design
Anxious As Anything
- Design